Saturday, December 31, 2011

Using Zuma Blitz Powers for Super High Scores



My Tips for Selecting Powers and Achieving High Scores in Zuma Blitz


Just about every week I'm asked via Facebook wall posts and email messages just how I achieved my current Zuma Blitz high score. Now, I'm not the best player in the world, but my current high score is 1,898,990 and my last two weeks' scores were over 2 million. Not too shabby. This article focuses on which special powers I use and why I choose them. Look for another (more detailed) strategy guide on game play in the next few weeks.

Analysis: Which Zuma Blitz Powers Are Best
Every week the Zuma Blitz developers come out with a new puzzle. Before I use any powers I get a feel for the board by playing without any powers at all. In fact, I play far more games without powers than with powers. After playing a few games I analyze the data Zuma Blitz provides and make a determination as to which will serve me best this week. Truly, the best combination of powers will vary for each player based on their own strengths and weaknesses in the game in general and on the current puzzle in particular. I like to pick powers based on my strengths for the current week. So, for example, if I find that I got a crazy high amount of points from the fruit, then I'll pick the fruit power. Basically, I match the three powers (I either play with all three or none) to my three highest scoring areas for this week's puzzle.
My Usual Selections: My Favorite Four Zuma Blitz Powers
I'm guessing that most of you either don't want to take the time to analyze your strengths or just want to know which powers I use. If that's the case, here is my secret. Most of the time I use the multiplier, the time bonus, and the chain bonus. These are the three powers on your second screen (assuming you've reached a high enough level in Zuma Blitz to have access to all three) and in picture two for this article. However, when a puzzle is tougher for me, I tend to replace the chain bonus with the fruit bonus.
Timing: When to Use Zuma Blitz Powers
As I mentioned earlier, I play more often without powers than with them. This lets me bank my mojo (what you need within the game in order to access your powers.
When I do not use powers:
• When multitasking (for example, watching a movie and playing Zumba blitz at the same time).
• When tired, hungry or otherwise distracted.
• Before I think I've got a good feel for the new puzzle of the week.
When I do use powers:
• When I feel especially alert and focused.
• Once I think I've mastered the current week's puzzle well enough for the mojo expense to be justified (this is just an intuitive thing. If I figure out how to quantify it I'll amend the article or write a new one).
I hope this article was helpful for you! Best wishes for high scores in Zuma Blitz!
Sources:
Personal Experience

originally published on Associated Content. Currently published at http://voices.yahoo.com/using-zuma-blitz-powers-super-high-8166105.html?cat=19

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fluffie Blanket Product Review



Originally published 5/19/2010

Prayers for People with Schizophrenia

Photo copyright/credit: morguefile.com/anitapatterson


What is schizophrenia? How do I pray for someone suffering from it? Includes sample prayers for general schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia.



Sample Prayers for People You Know Who Are Afflicted with Schizophrenia


Schizophrenia is a severe disease of the brain. It can be managed with medication but does require lifelong medication management and can be debilitating. It is extremely important that people with schizophrenia remain on their medication. The National Institute of Mental Health advises, "Patients should not stop taking a medication without a doctor's help. Stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous, and it can make the symptoms of schizophrenia worse." If you or someone you care about has this disease it can be a heavy burden (to say the least). Prayer can help ease that burden.
As I have a loved one who has schizophrenia I did a web search for "schizophrenia prayer". What I found was appalling and not at all comforting. I wanted to offer a sample prayer that was in line with what schizophrenia really is while embracing the Christian faith (if you have a different kind of faith feel free to alter the prayers for your own faith). Instead of having a specific name in the prayers I use "loved one", "her" or "she". Feel free to substitute your loved one's name and change the gender as appropriate.
How do we pray for someone with schizophrenia? There's no right or wrong way. Pour out your heart to God. He longs to hear from you. These prayers are for the afflicted, for the care partners and for the extended family and friends of people with schizophrenia.
I offer these prayers to help you pray specifically for the challenges that schizophrenia can present and for those that find uttering more than a "Lord, please help my loved one" prayer difficult. The first prayer is a general prayer for someone with any type of schizophrenia. The second is more specifically for someone with the paranoid type of schizophrenia. You don't have to pray the whole entire prayer; you can pray the parts that speak to you or a sentence here and there. Use the prayers in whatever manner you prefer. Whatever you choose, I hope these prayers are a blessing and a comfort to you.
General Prayer for Someone with Schizophrenia
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the great healer, the only living God, ruler of the universe. We are humbled by your love for us as fragile humans. Lord, we don't understand why our loved one suffers from schizophrenia; it's so hard to understand. But we come to you asking for your healing hand upon our loved one. Please heal her brain. If there are latent viruses please demolish them. If there are mutated genes, please fix them. Please heal every cell in her body.
If it's not in your will to heal her completely at this time, please help her to take her medicine as prescribed, today and every day for the rest of her time here on earth. We know that it is very hard, especially for people afflicted with schizophrenia, to stay on their medicine for life, but as this disease is incurable except through a miracle from Your hand, it is so very necessary. Help her to see how much better and safer her life and the lives of those that live and interact with her are when she is on her medicine. Help her want to take it and feel good about taking it.
Help her to be free of the disease created voices in her head. If that's not possible, help her to distinguish real voices from imaginary schizophrenia produced voices. Help her to be grounded in reality and to more easily tell the difference between what is going on in real life and any hallucinations or delusions put into her brain by the illness. Please help her to organize her thoughts, pay attention to real life, and remember that we love her deeply and want only the best for her. Please help her to communicate rationally and calmly. Please help her to manage her day in a productive way.
Please let her to feel your loving arms around her right now. Please give her peace and contentment. If she does not already know you as her personal Savior, please help her to establish that relationship today. Let her feel your healing presence. Please encourage her heart and mind. Please give strength and wisdom to her care partners and those who live with her. May they feel strengthened and encouraged today. May your loving presence be upon them today as well. We lift up our loved one to you in prayer, Lord. We ask all this according to Your holy will, in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer for Someone with Paranoid Schizophrenia
In addition to the above prayer, you might pray something like this:
Please help her to see that we love her. Please erase the paranoid thoughts and replace them with loving thoughts. Please clear her mind and help her to realize that no one is plotting against her, no one wants to hurt her and that she is safe. Please help her to be calm and help her to control her mannerisms and keep her voice volume reasonable and restrain herself from hitting, pushing, punching, or otherwise lashing out physically.
Please give her peace. Please fill her mind and spirit with Your love so that instead of feeling persecuted, suspicious and tense, she feels calm, peaceful and relaxed. We know all things are possible for you, Lord. Please heal our loved one. Amen.
Sources:
Medline Plus, Schizphrenia, paranoid type,http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000936.htm

Eight Acne Myths

How to Have Healthy Highlighted Hair


Originally published 5/14/2010

Baseball and Romance Poem

A poem about baseball, romance, and shared memories.

Originally published 5/12/10. Including link only just in case, although I'm 99.9% sure it was published as display only and I maintain my rights of ownership.


http://voices.yahoo.com/baseball-romance-6014902.html?cat=14

Pacifica Solid Perfume Product Review





Review of Pacifica's Solid Perfume by a beauty and natural product lover. Includes novel uses for the solid perfume, overall experience with it and a list of the ingredients and special qualities of it.



This Handy Little Tin of Fragrant Wax Can Also Be Used as a Cuticle or Elbow Balm!

The pretty vintage inspired tin caught my bye but the pleasing fragrances and moisturizing texture of Pacifica's Solid Perfume sold me. I've seen Pacifica's candles and admired their pleasant natural scents before, but as the "mom" of a clumsy geriatric cat who once caught her tail on fire, I don't burn candles in my home anymore (thankfully I noticed immediately and she only suffered a couple of singed hairs). Given that I wanted to try the Pacifica line but can't burn candles, I thought that this $9 little extravagance would be a nice introduction. It was a bonus to note that the product is 100% vegan, paraben, gluten and artificial color free, and not tested on animals (I'll list the ingredients at the end of the review).
After smelling the various testers I settled on the "Lotus Garden" fragrance. It's different from my other (many!) perfumes and reminds me of a moonlight walk through a fragrant garden. Using it as a solid perfume, I applied it to my pulse points and was rewarded with pleasant glimpses of the fragrance throughout the day.
A few days later I decided it to try it as a cuticle balm and that has turned into my main use for it. A little really does go a long way; I use about the size of a quarter of a pea to do the cuticles of both of my hands. When I realized how nicely that was working I decided to try it on my elbows. I have very stubborn elbows that are often red and dry. When I remember to dab some of this product on regularly, my elbows return to a nice skin color and all the dryness disappears.
Of course, once I'd fallen in love with the product I had to try some more of their fragrances. I've now acquired the French Lilac, Bali Lime Papaya, Malibu Lemon Blossom, and Waikiki Pikake versions of this product. The Pacifica solid perfume product line has 21 different fragrances that their website separates into the following categories: "floral, fruit, herbal & spice, and wood fragrances and perfumes".
If you're looking for a bargain, the South Pacific Solid Perfume Trio sells for $18 (it's like buying two and getting one free, which is great if you like all three fragrances).
Bottom line: I would definitely recommend this as a solid perfume, cuticle balm or elbow salve.
Here are the ingredients: Organic coconut wax, organic soy wax, non- GMO hydrogenated soy wax, Pacifica's own fragrance blend with natural and essential oils.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.

Originally published 5/11/10

Summer Love Haiku

Haiku about loving summer, love in summer, and happiness.



Singing in the sun

Love is never ending here
Love is everywhere





Originally published 5/9/10 on Associated Content
http://voices.yahoo.com/summer-love-haiku-5969806.html?cat=42

A Wise Father: Father's Day Poem

Although I'm pretty sure this one was display only, just in case I was given an up front payment for it, I'm only including the current link. It was originally published May 7, 2010 on www.associatedcontent.com.

http://voices.yahoo.com/a-wise-father-fathers-day-poem-5969954.html?cat=42

Learning to Knit Haiku

Haiku about learning to knit, taking things slowly, and boundless 


possibilities.





Knit one purl one makes

Infinite potential things
For now just a sock

Originally published 5/7/10 on Associated Content

Cherry Blossoms Sway Haiku

Haiku celebrating the beautiful but short cherry blossom bloom 


time.





Cherry blossoms sway


In the light breeze of April


Fleeting pink beauty

Originally published May 7, 2010

Cat Greeting Haiku

Haiku inspired by the way my little cat pops her head into my 

hand as I reach down to pet her.


Stretching cat rolls up


Climbs to her toes in welcome

Rubs her head hello

Originally published 5/7/10 

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  • Negativity Diet Day 25
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 24
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 23
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Today's journey features "pray and do not curse" and "bless and do not rob".
  • Negativity Diet - Day 22
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Should You Exercise when You Have a Cold?
    Ever wondered whether it's wise to work out when you have a cold? Is exercising with a cold smart or dumb? What are the red flags that signal you should skip your workout? Read this article to find out.
  • Negativity Diet Day 21
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Pesticide Exposure Linked to Increased ADHD Risk
    This article reveals the most dangerous developmental period for pesticide exposure, discusses the risks of pesticide exposure when it comes to ADHD and includes six different ADHD risk reduction strategies.
  • Negativity Diet Day 20
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • 10,000 Page View Celebration Haiku
    A poem dedicated to my dear readers and friends to celebrate reaching 10,000 page views with Associated content. This one's for you!
  • Negativity Diet Day 19
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 18
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 17
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 16
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Mafia Wars Free Property Upgrade Weekend Strategy Tips
    This weekend Mafia Wars is offering a free property upgrade. This article shares the details of what properties are included (and not included) and offers advice so you get the most of this free offer.
  • Negativity Diet Day 15
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Autumn Welcome Poem
    Experience the beauty of fall with me through this autumn themed poem conceived as I was walking outside on this first day of fall.
  • My Top Five Associated Content Articles: Responding to Leroy Coffie's Challenge
    Here are my top five most popular articles and what I've learned about page views from them.
  • Negativity Diet Day 14
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Deal Breakers: Top Five for Buying a Home
    We expose five home buying deal breaker situations to help you avoid making costly, expensive or extremely stressful mistakes.
  • Negativity Diet Day 13
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • U.S. National Arboretum Photos
    Enjoy a virtual tour of the U.S. National Arboretum via a photo slide show. Enjoy plants and flowers from their National Herb Garden, Fern Valley and more.
  • Negativity Diet Day 12
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 11
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 10
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Seven Super Home Staging Tips
    Here are seven super strategies to use before your home sale to avoid costly mistakes and make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
  • Negativity Diet Days 7-9
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • The Six Unhealthiest Japanese Foods
    Ever wondered what Japanese restaurant foods are the unhealthiest? Read on to learn what foods to skip if you are watching your waistline or concerned about your health.
  • Irritated Owl Video
    This spectacled owl seemed very angry and attempted to attack viewers several times during our visit but (thankfully!) was stopped by the fencing of its habitat. You can see its irritation showing through on this video. Although I wasn't able to capture the flying attack on video I did get some pict
  • The Seven Unhealthiest Mexican Foods
    Ever wondered what Mexican restaurant foods are the unhealthiest? Read on to learn what foods to skip if you are watching your waistline or concerned about your health.
  • Negativity Diet Day 6
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet Day 5
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and increasing optimism.
  • Negativity Diet - Days 3 & 4
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days avoiding negative statements and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about my journey of squashing negativity and promoting optimism.
  • Remembering 9/11/01
    My memories of 9/11/01 and my journey through confusion, shock, terror and mourning to hope.
  • Irritated Owl Photos
    Photos of a very irritated owl. This spectacled owl seemed very angry and attempted to attack viewers several times during our visit but (thankfully!) was stopped by the fencing of its habitat.
  • Negativity Diet - Day 2
    Welcome back! I appreciate your support in my battle against negativity and efforts to be more positive. It's time to share the lessons learned from day two of my negativity diet. I hope you're enjoying my journey to a more positive and optimistic life.
  • Negativity Diet - Day 1
    Ever wondered what would happen if you went 30 days without voicing a negative statement and trained your brain to be more positive? Read on to learn more about squashing negativity and promoting optimism.
  • What You Need to Know About the Dirty Dozen: Most Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables
    Ever wondered which foods have the most pesticides? What fruits and vegetables are most necessary to buy organic? Want tips on reducing your pesticide consumption? Read on and find out.
  • Close Encounter with a Great Blue Heron (Photo Slideshow)
    We found this great blue heron eagerly watching the fish in a large koi pond. This magnificent bird let us get within about 10 feet before flying away.
  • Fibroids and Food: Is There a Connection?
    Odds are you know someone with fibroids. How do meat, dairy and greens affect fibroids? Could eating them make fibroids better or worse? Read on and find out.
  • How to Log Your Volunteer Hours with MyArmyOneSource.Com's VMIS (Volunteer Management Information System)
    Here are easy, step by step instructions on how to log your volunteer hours at www.myarmyonesource.com. These instructions should be helpful to anyone who volunteers on an Army Installation.
  • How to Apply for a Volunteer Position with MyArmyOneSource.Com's VMIS (Volunteer Management Information System)
    This article provides easy, step by step instructions on how to apply for an Army Volunteer Corps (any volunteer position on an Army Installation) volunteer position.
  • How to Register with MyArmyOneSource.Com And VMIS (Volunteer Management Information System)
    Here is an easy, step by step tutorial on registering with www.myarmyonesource.com and the Army Volunteer Corps' VMIS (Volunteer Management Information System)
  • Awaiting Autumn
    Want to fast forward to fall? This poem transports you to the best parts of autumn.
  • Am I at Risk for Migraine Headaches?
    Who gets migraine headaches? What makes someone more likely to have a migraine? Read on to learn about the major risk factors for getting migraine headaches.
  • Top 10 Things that Can Ruin Your Smile
    Do you want an attractive smile and healthy teeth? Then this top ten list of things that can ruin your smile is a must read!
  • Organic Halloween Candy and Treat Options
    Even the most healthful households probably allow their children at least a little candy on Halloween. Read on and find out more about organic candy and Halloween treat options.
  • Top 10 Foods that Can Make You Sick
    Ever wonder what foods are more likely to cause illness, food poisoning or intestinal distress? Here are the top ten culprits.
  • 14 Chronic Cough Causes
    Chronic coughs can have many causes. This article discusses a number of common and rare causes of chronic coughing.
  • This Week's Best Deals on School Supplies (for Week Ending 8/28/2010)
    Want to save money on school supplies? Here are my recommendations for this week's best deals on school supplies at CVS, Kmart, Office Depot, Rite Aid, Staples and Target.
  • Mafia Wars Strategy Guide for Las Vegas District 6
    Information on loot drops, the boss fight and strategy tips for Mafia Wars' latest offering. Article starts with an overview of the new district, then a few strategy tips, then covers each job within District 6 in depth.
  • 5 Great Migraine Resources on the Internet
    If you suffer from migraines or know someone who does you just might find these resources useful.
  • Mafia Wars Beat the Feds Event Tips for Success
    Having trouble "beating the feds" in the extremely popular Mafia Wars game? Here are the strategies I used to defeat them all and reach the gold achievement level.
  • This Week's Best Deals on School Supplies
    If you're looking for cheap school supplies, this is the article for you! Here are my recommendations for this week's best deals on school supplies at CVS, Kmart, Office Depot, Rite Aid, Staples and Target.
  • Free Entrance to National Parks This Weekend!
    Over 300 United States National Parks will have free entrance this weekend and on two more weekends this year. Read on to find out when and how you can gain free entrance to some of our national treasures.
  • What is a Nutritarian?
    You've probably heard of vegetarians, vegans and carnivores, but now there's a new dietary category of nutritarians. Find out what being a nutritarian means and how being a nutritarian can benefit your health.
  • Easy Ways to Donate School Supplies
    Do you have extra school supplies or are you thinking about purchasing school supplies to help kids who might not otherwise be able to afford them? This article shares ideas on where to donate. Help a child in need; you'll be glad you did!
  • A Glimpse Inside My Mind: Responses to Word Association Game
    My immediate mental responses to five random words followed by three very different haikus using the words.
  • Why You Should Keep Technology Out of Your Bedroom
    Would you like to improve the quality of your sleep? Do you suffer from insomnia? Read on to find out how technology might be keeping you awake.
  • 6 Great Sources for Cheap School Supplies
    Whether you want to get your shopping done in one fell swoop or save even more by maximizing sales, this article will show you how to save on your children's school supplies. Article includes recommendations for this week's best deals.
  • Five Fun & Free Places to Explore This Summer
    Looking for places to go this summer? Want to save money on entertainment? Here are five places your family just might enjoy (and the price is certainly affordable).
  • Healthy Meals in a Hurry
    Tired of relying on take out or fast food when you're in a hurry? Here are some ideas to get healthier meals on your table quickly and easily.
  • Time to Start Thinking About National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!
    Have you ever participated or thought about participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Interested in one author's experience with having planned ahead versus not planned ahead for NaNoWriMo? If so, this article is for you!
  • Ideas for Celebrating National Dance Day
    If you're not near one of the official activities for National Dance Day you might consider using one or more of these ideas to have your own National Dance Day celebration.
  • Vertigo and God: A Poem
    Poem about a Christian's experience with vertigo.
  • Mid Atlantic Summer Garden Blooms
    Take a little break from your daily stresses and enjoy photos of some beautiful flowers from Maryland and Washington D.C. gardens! Just looking at natural beauty is reported to reduce stress and induce relaxation.
  • Living Green Can Be Another Form of Worship
    How can green living honor God? Should Christians care about the earth? Along with a short poem, this article discusses these issues.
  • What is Zumba?
    Have you seen ads for Zumba classes or heard a friends mention that they love Zumba? What's it all about? Read on and find out!
  • The Dangers of Cuticle Removers
    Sure you want attractive nails but are cuticle removers the way to go? Here are three compelling reasons to just say no to cuticle removers.
  • Eye Tracking Research Can Help Strengthen Your Internet Writing
    Ever wondered what parts of a web page catch your readers' attention first? Learn more about eye tracking and how it can help your writing by reading this article today!
  • Songs to Soothe Your Soul
    Whether you're in need of comfort or just want some uplifting music to ease your day this playlist offers comfort, peace and hope.
  • Bejeweled Blitz High Score Strategies
    Ever wonder how your friends score 600,000+ points in Bejeweled Blitz? Here are winning strategies from someone who has done just that.
  • Fort Meade USO Needs Volunteers for Back to School Event
    Strong arms and kind hearts needed for help with an upcoming "Back to School" event on Fort Meade.
  • Four Fabulous Healthy Living Blogs
    Interested in healthy living? Here are four blogs to help you on your path to wellness with healthy recipes, research .and resources galore.
  • "Voyage to Book Island" with the Fort Meade Summer 2010 Reading Program
    Want some fun free events for your school age children this summer that encourage reading and learning? Do your kids like storytelling, fun and ice cream? Read on for more information.
  • Before You Settle Down: 15 Things Every Guy Should Do
    A practical list of skills and experiences to help you make the most of your upcoming commitment. Could also be used as a checklist for those already in committed relationships.
  • USAA Educational Foundation Offers Free Publications
    Need information on how to buy a house, choose insurance, plan for retirement, or just about any major financial decision? Free publications on a wide variety of topics related to personal financial management are available for you.
  • Increase Your Life Expectancy by 14 Years
    Want to live longer? Research indicates that people who have these four habits live 14 years longer than those who don't!
  • "Coffee with Plato" Book Review
    Imagine having coffee with the famous philosopher Plato. This book attempts to help you imagine this experience and learn more about Plato's philosophy. Read on for more information and my opinion of the book.
  • "Amy's" Organic Tuscan Bean & Rice Soup Product Review
    If you're interested in trying "Amy's Kitchen" products, vegan organic soup, or if you've wondered what a Tuscan bean soup might taste like, this review is for you!
  • Memorial Day Poem
    Poem honoring our military veterans, especially those who paid the ultimate price in serving our country.
  • "Dancing with the Stars" Season 10 Finale Commentary
    If you missed the Dancing With the Stars Season Finale or would just like to hear a new viewer and layperson's opinion on it, this article's for you!
  • Free Knitting Lessons at Fort Meade
    If you're a member of the Fort Meade community and would like to learn to knit, learn some new knitting techniques or just want to hang out with some fun knitters, the USO/OWC Knitting Group may be perfect for you.
  • Exercising Outside: Pros and Cons
    Learn about the amazing benefits of exercising outside while considering the challenges and special circumstances that exercising in the great outdoors provides.
  • The Wonderful Benefits of Indoor Workouts
    Should you exercise indoors or outdoors? What are the advantages and disadvantages of indoor exercise? Key pros and cons are discussed and tips on overcoming the cons provided.
  • Fluffie Blanket Product Review
    If you're looking for a super soft blanket that is machine washable and dryable then this review is for you! This is my personal review of the "Fluffie Blanket" including why I chose to purchase it and my experiences with it since bringing it home.
  • Prayers for People with Schizophrenia
    What is schizophrenia? How do I pray for someone suffering from it? Includes sample prayers for general schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia.
  • Eight Acne Myths
    Discussion of common myths about acne with revelations about more effective ways of dealing with acne prone skin. Learn whether chocolate, greasy foods, kissing, tanning, stress and more cause acne.
  • How to Have Healthy Highlighted Hair
    Tips on healing the damage caused by the highlighting process. These tips will also help dry, color treated and over processed hair.
  • Baseball and Romance
    A poem about baseball, romance, and shared memories.
  • Pacifica Solid Perfume Product Review
    Review of Pacifica's Solid Perfume by a beauty and natural product lover. Includes novel uses for the solid perfume, overall experience with it and a list of the ingredients and special qualities of it.
  • Summer Love Haiku
    Haiku about loving summer, love in summer, and happiness.
  • A Wise Father: Father's Day Poem
    Poem expressing thanks to a wise and loving father
  • Learning to Knit Haiku
    Haiku about learning to knit, taking things slowly, and boundless possibilities.
  • Cherry Blossoms Sway Haiku
    Haiku celebrating the beautiful but short cherry blossom bloom time.
  • Cat Greeting Haiku
    Haiku inspired by the way my little cat pops her head into my hand as I reach down to pet her.
  • Summer Haiku
    Haiku about summer feelings and sights.

  • True Friend Poem
    Poem about true friendship, what makes a good friend, and important friend characteristics.